What is the easiest piece of clothing to start learning to sew with? This is all new to me and I need lots of help. Thanks and God bless
Debra from Hampton, TN
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One of the easiest I think to make are shell type tops and just by adding another piece of fabric that is basically a rectangle in shape to it you can make sundresses in any lenght. You don't even need a pattern if you have a top that already fits you to use as a pattern. you simply lay out your fabric (1 yard will do a top size large or smaller) and get 2 yards for a sundress that would come to your knee) lay out your fabric two where you cut 2 pieces the same for the top. Turn your top inside out then fold it in half, lay the folded side of the top against the folded side of the fabric then cut around the top that your using as your pattern, and cut an ectra inch around your top so you can allow for seam lines. Just turn under the edges of the top on the neckline, sleeves, bottom to if its going to be just a top and hem, your done! If you want a sundress just let your top end where you want your waist line of the sundress to begin, like under the breast, at the waist line.
Pull-on pants or skirts w/ elastic or drawstring waists are very easy (and would go w/ the shell tops suggested by 'theseamstress':) ).
Easiest thing to start learning to sew is an apron. It's the first thing we learned in Home Ec in school MANY years ago! I'm still sewing too. Have fun!!
Try a dirndl skirt. It's basically a rectangle of fabric with elastic for the waistband.
Pull-on pants or skirts w/ elastic or drawstring waists are very easy (and would go w/ the shell tops suggested by 'theseamstress':) ).
If you are young and have a very slim figure, clothing made of rectangles is fine, but it doesn't do much for most figures. I would suggest a very easy pattern--most pattern companies have them.
I agree that pull ons are easier but I would use solids for the first few garments. There is a brand of pattern that is at most fabric stores. It's called Sew Easy. When you buy elastic for your waistband get pajama elastic. I discovered a long time ago that it is more confortable.
If you start getting frustrated just put it away and come back to it later. You will ruin a nice garment if you try to sew while you are upset. Good luck! It's a lot of fun and you can save a lot of money making your own clothes. The best part is it's not made in China.
Although elastic waist pants and skirts are easy to sew, they rarely look good on anyone. You will enjoy sewing more if what you sew is something you can be proud of. Like one of the other posters, I would recommend your sewing an apron. They're easy and still look great. Also, pajama pants in flannel are all the rage for wearing to bed or around the house, and they are very easy to sew while allowing you to perfect your sewing skills.
If you'd like to start with clothes, I suggest pajamas. They're relatively easy and getting the fit exactly right isn't as hard as say a pair of pants with a zipper. Plus, if the pajamas don't turn out exactly right, who'll know?! Pillows are also quick, fun and easy projects. If you're not close to a college or fabric store that has classes on beginning sewing, I suggest you check out your local library or online for basic sewing videos and DVDs. Good luck! I hope you'll be patient with yourself as you learn.
Start by making little tote bags. I know it sounds lame, but you'll work on straight lines, seams, sewing inside out, hems, ironing and straps. These skills will help you with every piece of clothing you want to sew.
When you're ready for clothing, sew for a child. I realized I could sew when I made my son sweatpants and a sweatshirt from an "easy" pattern. And he (being a toddler at the time) wasn't as picky about fit as I was.
The most important tip I can give you is keep your iron and ironing board out and handy when you are sewing. Try it, you'll see what I mean !
Have fun. =)
I start my children out with making square pillows out of fleece. It doesn't ravel, and straight seems are a great way to learn the feel of the machine.
Our first pillow is just 2 squares sewn together. After they have that done, we move up to sewing 4 smaller blocks together to make a pillow side.
I have found some great free patterns on the internet to start sewing: simple 1 piece cape/wraps - just need a hem. Simple summer dress pattern, garment bags from pillow cases, just add trim. Walmart has had some great fabric for 1.00 a yard so for a few dollars I have a summer cape, halter style dress, head band and tote with free patterns from the internet.
Making a skirt would be a good starting project. Not to worry: if you can read directions, you can sew anything! A real feeling of satisfaction and pride will be attained with completing a project. Good luck!
Try a simple skirt pattern like this one:
simplicity.com/
It will be easy to make and you'll have something you can wear right away.
Wait to buy patterns until they are on sale-- they go on sale for 99 cents or $1.99 every 6 or 8 weeks where I shop for sewing stuff--otherwise patterns are REALLY expensive.
When I was in school our first project was an apron - the kind that goes over your neck.
It can be intimidating cutting the pretty new fabric that you've just bought. How about taking old, worn out items, and experimenting with them? Take, for example, a worn out handkerchief, trim off the old hem and see if you can make a new one. Or, cut a child's shirt out of a man's shirt.
Drawstring bags are easy to make, and real, real useful for travel and organizing many things around the house. These can be made out of old clothes, or sheets. Don't worry about mistakes, or doing something in an unofficial way. If it works, you can tell us all something new! Anon, londa
Go to the library, book to look at Vogue Sewing, Talbot, McCall's, Sewing for Dummies, what else in sections. I suggested because it is better than buying several books, then make something simple you will use.
Good Luck
patti r
The first thing I made was a dress- if you're just starting to sew you might want to start out with a pillow or something and then move on to clothing once you get the hang of it
When you first want to learn to sew the thought of making something you can wear always fills you with both excitement and the fantastic idea you can make anything, which with time you probably will. My first project (using a sewing machine) was an apron in home ec 7th grade, then a hanging clothes pin bag that was made from a top pattern (it was required but not what I really wanted to make).
I took the pattern home and actually made the top and I was hooked. There is nothing more fulfilling then making something useful with your own hands especially if you are happy with the finished project. I have been sewing now for about 40 years I have made everything from bridal gowns and entire wedding party dresses to my own children's clothing, reupholstered furniture and car seats made matching curtains and bedspreads and nursery sets and awnings, pillows and myself so many outfits and dresses, that people admired and I was so proud to say "I Made Them"
My advice.... start with a skirt
*take rectangle piece of fabric
*hold it up to your waist see how long you want it to be.
*without bending over have someone put a pin at the length you desire. (Remember to allow for hem and waist band about 3inches, you can always shorten lengthening is a bit harder!)
*measure your waist and hips depending which is bigger add six inches to the total.
*fold the material over lengthwise so you will have one seam going up the back of your skirt. Pin along seam.
*sew it straight up the back of the skirt 5/8" with wrong sides together.
*trim 1/8 " to seam... carefully
*Turn skirt wrong side out with right sides together press again along seam...pin
*sew 1/2 in seam along the other sea - this will give you a french seam and a nice finished look. press
*then fold down the top 1/4" (wrong sides together)and press
*with an iron fold down gain 1 1/2 inches and press again
*starting from the back seam sew around the top
1 1/4" from the top and leave aprox. 1 inch opening so that you may run elastic through the opening. (you will hand sew that shut later.
* wrap a piece of at least 1" wide elastic around your waist without stretching it..then pull up til it feels like a snug but very comfortable fit (about 3 or 4 ")-cut it there.
* at the bottom of your skirt turn and press as you did for the top only make both turns only 1/2" for a nice "shirt hem" sew 3/8" around from the bottom starting and finishing at the back.
* Run your elastic through the top at the opening using a safety pin to guide it through- make sure you pin the other end to the opening so it doesn't accidentally slip through. Also make sure the elastic stays flat and does not turn or twist.
* Once through place elastic ends one on top the other overlapping about 1 1/2' and sew along sides a few times back and forth by hand this makes the elastic more comfortable no lumps digging in your side..Ouch! then sew the elastic opening closed by hand and Wah! Lah! you have made your first piece of clothing..without a pattern (more bragging rights) you are on your way...look out world there's no stopping you now... my advice get an easy pattern all patterns in the store that say easy are not always..sometimes easy really means "Pattern maker wants to make a cheap pattern and has left out steps or has hired pattern maker with ADHD and half way through they lost their train of thought = hard pattern even though only has 3 pieces...Ha ha for the experienced sewer..I know you get that..
Any how open the pattern at the store look at how many pattern pieces, what is needed and read the steps involved, picturing what they are asking you to do. Stay away from patterns with many pattern pieces (27-36) stay with like 6 at first and try and have only like up to 10-12 steps.
I am also a fairly new sewer and the first thing that I taught myself to sew was a tote bag. It's really simple and to make it even easier, I cut holes at the top and used an old scarf type thing for an over the shoulder handle.
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